Self bailing device



June 1961 c. L. GRINNELL SELF BAILING DEVICE Filed Aug. 4, 1959 G R M/IVEL L INVENTOR BY ywZ, Q?

ATTORNEY United States Patent 2,989,020 SELF BAILING DEVICE Charles L, Grinnell, 25 'Crestwood Road,

Port Washington, N.Y. Filed Aug. 4, 1959, so. No. 831,543

13 Claims. (Cl. 114-185) This invention relates generally to bailing devices for withdrawing water from the bilge of a boat and has particular relation to so called self bailers wherein the bailing action or the removal of water is effected as a result of the forward motion of the boat.

These devices are constructed so that as the boat moves through the sea a suction or reduced pressure is produced that is effective to suck bilge water from the boat. It is, of course, desirable to withdraw the water from the boat as rapidly as possible while creating a minimum resistance to forward motion of the boat with this being particularly important in sailing craft while they are engaged in racing. While it is desirable that the self bailer be permanently mounted for ready use in the hull of the boat it is also desirable that the device lie flush with the outer surface of the boat hull during periods of non use. Furthermore, it is an essential feature of such permanently mounted self bailing device that leakage through the device from the exterior to the interior of the boat during periods when the device is not in use be positively prevented.

It is an object of this invention to provide a self bailing device of an improved construction and capable of accomplishing these results. 7

Another object is to provide such an-improvcd self bailing device which utilizes the efficient action of a venturi in its operation.

Still another object is to provide such an improved self bailing device that is positively sealed during periods of non use.

Another object is to provide such a self bailing device that may be either directly or remotely operated.

Still another object is to provide such a self bailing de vice that is extremely simple and economic in construction yet highly reliable and efficient in its operation.

Further and more detailed objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out as the description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, proceeds.

In that drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of the self bailing device of the invention shown mounted in the hull of a boat and disclosed in the sealed, inoperative position which it occupies during periods that it is not in use;

FIGURE 2 is an elevational view taken generally from line 2--2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to that of FIGURE 1 but showing the self bailing device in its operative position where it is effective to withdraw bilge water from the boat;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged detailed vertical sectional view of the self bailing device of the invention shown in its operative position;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the lower portion of the self bailing device showing the relation of the parts when the device occupies its inoperative or sealed position;

FIGURE 6 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 7 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 77 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of the body assembly of the invention, and;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of 2,989,020 Patented June 20, .1961

ice

a modified embodiment of the invention disclosing a remote actuating mechanism for the self bailing device.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used throughout to designate like elements, the illustrative and preferred embodiment of the invention includes cylindrical housing 10 which is open at its lower end 12 and has its upper end closed by the plate 14. The lower region of housing 10 is received within bore 16 provided in the hull 18 of a boat such that the lower end of the housing is flush with the outer surface of the boat hull and with the housing being provided with attachment flange 20 which bears against the inner surface of the boat hull and which is secured to the hull by means of screws 22.

Telescoped within cylindrical housing 10 for reciprocal movement between an extended or operative position and a retracted or inoperative position is the body assembly of the self bailing device of the invention with this assembly being identified generally as 24 and being best shown in FIGURE 8. This body assembly is made up of a. pair of spaced parallel struts 26 and 28 which are mounted between plates 30 and 32. The struts are elongated as shown and are in parallel relation with the axis of housing 10 with the struts being generally teardrop shaped in transverse section so that a venturi isprovided of formed between the struts. The lower end of each of the struts is closed, with those lower ends engaging and being secured to the plate 30, while the upper end of each of the struts is open, such upper ends being received in and being secured within complimentary shaped openings provided in the plate 32. Extending up from plate 32 is skirt 33 which is snugly but slideably received within housing 10 in order toprovide a guide for reciprocal movement of the body assembly with this skirt 33 and plate 32 in effect forming a piston that is reciprocally disposed within the housing 10.

This body assembly 24 is slideable axially within housing 10 between a retracted position shown in FIGURES 1, 2 and 5 and an extended position shown in FIGURES 3 and 4. In the retracted position struts 26 and 28 lie within the housing, and plate 30 which forms a valve head, sealingly engages the lower end 12 of the housing, In order to form a fluid tight seal these membersare provided with complimentary tapered surfaces and the tapered surface of plate 30 is provided with a olyvinylchloride coating for the purpose of effecting a better seal. This coating may advantageously be applied with an eyedropper to this tapered surface of the plate 30 and if desired the entire outer surface of this plate may be coated with this plastic material. The material is relatively easy to apply in that it remains fluid and does not congeal until it is baked, wherefore it may be applied to the desired area and thereafter baked to convert it to its desired form.

The housing 10 is provided with a pair of generally op.- posed openings 34 in its side walls which communicate with the interior of the boat and through which water-is withdrawn from the boat. These openings are oriented with relation to struts 26 and 28 such that the outer surface of each of these struts overlies and effectively closes the lower portion of one of these openings when the body assembly occupies its retracted position while skirt 33 overlies and effectively closes the upper orvremaining portion of each opening. This outer surface of strut 26 and 28 conforms to the inner surface of housing 10 so that a good, although not perfect, seal is provided by having the struts and skirt overlie the openings 34. This arrangement will tend to decrease the amount of leakage that may occur should plate 30 for some reason not seal against the lower end of housing 10 when the device is in its retracted position, thereby providing an added safety feature.

When body assembly 24 is in its extended or operating position struts 26 and 28 extend from the lower end 12 of housing and into the sea water beneath the boat. The device is oriented with relation to the boat such that forward movement of the boat causes the sea water to move through the venturi passage formed by the struts and in the direction indicated by arrows 36. This passage of sea water through the venturi passage causes a reduction of the pressure within passage 38. Struts 26 and 28 are open into this passage with openings 49 provided in the inner wall of these struts and with these openings extending throughout the length of the struts as best shown in FIGURE 8. Accordingly, when the assembly is in its extended position the rushing of sea water through venturi passage 38 causes bilge water to be withdrawn from the interior of the boat through openings 34 down into the interior of skirt 33 and into struts 26 and 28 from which it emerges into the sea water through openings 40. It is recognized that the reduction in pressure obtained with a venturi is substantial and that the action of a venturi is very efficient. Accordingly, the withdrawal of water from the interior of the boat with the organization of this invention is very rapid and by making the struts hollow so that a large flow area is provided this rapid withdrawal is facilitated. Furthermore, since the struts are teardrops in shape the flow resistance ofiered by the bailing device when in its extended position is not substantial notwithstanding that a rapid bailing action is obtained. This combination of fast bailing action and low flow resistance is extremely desirable, as previously mentioned, in sailing craft when engaged in racing.

In the embodiment of FIGURES 1 through 8 reciprocation of the body assembly within housing 10 is provided by means of a combination handle and cam actuating device. This device is attached to the body assembly by means of rods 42 which extend through and are snugly but slidably received in suitable openings in plate 14 of the housing. A bridge member 44 is secured to the upper ends of rods 42, being clamped between nuts 46 threaded on the upper ends of these rods. Also secured to the upper ends of these rods in bridging relation therewith and clamped by the action of nuts 46 is support member 48 which carries the sleeve 50 with this sleeve being secured to the bridge and support members as by screw 51 or by being brazed to the support member. Pivotally received in this sleeve 50 is the handle and cam actuator 52 which is an angularly disposed member comprised of a suitably formed rod the ends of which are received in the sleeve. This handle and cam actuator is effective to cam the body assembly into its retracted position and force plate 30 into tight sealing engagement with the lower end 12 of housing 10. The camming action is effected by pivoting member 52 to the position disclosed in FIGURE 1 with the lower curved portion of member 52 engaging the plate 14 of housing 10 and forcing the body assembly into its retracted position. This member 52 is also effective to lock the body member in its retracted position with thtis locking action being obtained when the member is in its solid line position as indicated in FIG- URE 1. The dotted line position of member 52 in FIG- URE 1 illustrates the camming action that is obtainable with this member 52 and as member 52 is moved from the dotted line to the solid line position valve or plate 30 is forced into tight engagement with the end of the housmg.

When body assembly 24 is in its extended or active position the handle and cam actuator 52 is disposed as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4. In this position this member 52 acts as a convenient handle for raising the body assembly to its retracted position after which this member 52 may be pivoted to the position shown-in FIGURE 1 during which pivotal movement is effective to cam the body assembly 24 into a position wherethe plate 30 sealingly engages the lower end of housing 10 and with 4 this member 52 finally locking the body assembly in its retracted or inoperative position.

The plate 32 elfectively prevents communication of the venturi passage 38 with the interior of housing 10 when the body assembly is in its extended position other than through the struts 26 and 28 so that an effective venturi action is obtained for withdrawing water from the interior of the boat, and rods 42 prevent rotation of body assembly 24 within housing 10 so once the device is installed in a boat it remains correctly oriented.

In lieu of actuating the self bailing device of the invention in this manner it may be actuated remotely by means of a screw threaded actuating mechanism. The modified organization of FIGURE 9 depicts such a remote actuating mechanism. In this embodiment of the invention body assembly 24 has secured thereto and extending upwardly therefrom threaded stem 54 with this stem being bonded to plate 32. This stem is coaxial of housing 10 and threaded upon the stem is the actuating nut or spool 56. Spool 56 is retained in a suitable cage 58 that is secured to the upper end and forms part of housing 10 with cage 58 being eliective to prevent axial movement of spool 56 with relation to housing 10 while permitting free rotative movement of the spool. Rotation of body assembly 24 within housing 10 is effectively prevented by providing skirt 33 with a suitable indentation in the nature of a keyway which receives a complimentarily formed projection 68 on housing 10 which is in the nature of a key. Thus, body assembly 24 is free to slide axially of housing 10 but is prevented from rotating relative thereto. Rotation of spool 56 will therefore cause the body assembly to move axially within housing 10 to and from its retracted and extended positions. This rotation of spool 56 is effected through a cable drive that comprises cable 60 which is wrapped around spool 56, is trained over suitable pulleys 61 and is wrapped around driving drum 62 which may be rotated by a suitable crank 64, with this drum being mounted at a convenient location remote from the self bailing device as for example adjacent the helm of the boat.

In order to provide an indication as to when the device is displaced from its sealed or inoperative position there is provided an alarm circuit or indicating circuit identified generally as 66 and which includes the indicator or alarm device 68 which may take the form of a light or buzzer and a source of potential 70. Also comprising part of circuit 66 is switch 72 which is closed when the body assembly 24 is displaced from its inactive or retracted position and is open when the body assembly is returned to its retracted position with the switch including actuator 74 pivoted to bracket 75 and engaged by member 44 in the embodiment of FIGURES 1-8 and stem 54 in the embodiment of FIGURE 9 and is moved so as to open switch 72 when the body assembly occupies its retracted position. The alarm device 68 may be conveniently mounted for observation as for example on the instrument panel at the helm of the boat with the alarm providing a warning against accidental leaving of the device in the extended position which would permit water to enter the boat when the boat is not in motion.

It will be seen that with the organization of this invention an extremely compact and efficiently operating self bailing device is provided which utilizes the efiicient action of a venturi and provides for very rapid withdrawal of water from the boat while at the same time offering a relatively low flow resistance.

Though the invention has been shown and described from the standpoint of certain structural details in which it is embodied, it is not however to be considered as being limited by such showing. Rather, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, certain modifications or variations may be made in the structure as shown and described, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. It is, accordingly, intended that all matter contained in the aboye description and shown in the accompart ing drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An automatic bailing device comprising an elongated housing adapted to be received in the hull of a boat and having an open end for communicating with the exterior thereof, a body member telescoped within said housing and axially slidable relative thereto between a retracted position wherein the corresponding end of the body member lies adjacent said open end of the housing and an extended position wherein. said corresponding end protrudes from said open end so a portion of the body member may extend exteriorly of the hull into the water, said portion of the body member being comprised of a pair of hollow struts longitudinally extending in the axial direction of the housing and being shaped and laterally spaced to form a venturi passage between the struts, said struts having openings in the walls thereof into the venturi passage with the outer end of the struts being closed and communication with the interior of the housing being pro- 'vided through the inner end of said struts, and valve means provided at the outer end of said struts and operative to engage the open end of the housing to close the same when said body member is in its retracted position.

2. In an organization of the type described the combination of a pair of parallel, hollow struts generally teardrop in transverse cross section and disposed in spaced side by side relation to form a venturi passage therebetween, said struts being mounted between a pair of coaxial plate means to form a body assemblage with one of the plate means forming a valve head and with openings in the other of said plate means to provide for communication therethrough with the strut interior, said struts having openings into said venturi passage, a housing within which said assemblage is snugly but slidably received for movement longitudinally of said struts to and from a retracted position wherein the valve head engages the housing to form a fluid tight seal and an extended position wherein said valve head and said struts extend from the housing, and means for effecting such longitudinal movement.

3. A self bailer for a boat comprising a housing secured to the lower region of the hull of a boat and received in a suitable opening therein so its lower end lies substantially flush with the outer surface of the hull, a body assembly slidably received within said housing for movement between an extended position where it extends from the lower end of housing and a retracted position where it lies within said housing, said body assembly including means effective when in its retracted position to prevent communication from exterior to interior of the boat through the housing and means effective when in its extended position to withdraw water from the boat in response to movement of the boat through the water, this last named means comprising a pair of hollow struts the interior of which communicates with the interior of the boat and disposed in parallel side by side spaced relation, said struts being formed to provide a venturi passage therebetween oriented so that water flows therethrough incident to forward motion of the boat, said struts having openings into the venturi passage through which water is withdrawn from the boat.

4. A self bailer for a boat comprising a housing secured to the lower region of the hull of a boat and received in a suitable opening therein so its lower end lies substantially flush with the outer surface of the hull, a body assembly slidably received within said housing for movement between an extended position where it extends from the lower end of housing and a retracted. position where it "lies within said housing, a switch mounted adjacent said housing and actuated in response to such movement of said body assembly, an indicating system, in a circuit including said switch, controlled by said switch and activated when said switch is moved to the position it occupies in response to displacement of the body assembly from its retracted position, said body assembly including means effective when in its retracted position to prevent communication from exterior to interior of the boat through the housing and means effective when in its extended position to withdraw water from the boat in response to movement of the boat through the water, this last named means comprising a pair of hollow struts the interior of which communicates with the interior of the boat, said struts being disposed in parallel side by side spaced relation, said struts being formed to provide a venturi passage therebetween oriented so that water flows therethrough incident to forward motion of the boat, said struts having openings into the venturi passage through which water is withdrawn from the boat.

5. A self bailer for a boat comprising a housing having an open outer end and adapted to be secured to the lower region of the hull of a boat so this end lies generally flush with the outer surface of the hull and the inner end protrudes into the boat, a body assembly telescoped within said housing and including a pair of elongated hollow struts axially parallel with the housing and disposed in spaced side by side relation and formed to provide a venturi channel therebetween, said struts being mounted between a pair of plate means coaxial with the housing and one of which forms a valve head that cooperates with the open end of said housing to provide a seal therewith while the other is snugly but slideably disposed within the housing, the end of the struts adjacent said valve head being closed while the other end is open to the housing interior through the other plate means, said struts being provided with openings into the venturi channel therebetween, said body assembly being reciprocably mounted in the housing for movement between an extended position where the struts extend from the open end thereof and a retracted position where the valve head seals against said outer end, a screw threaded drive operative to effect such movement and a remotely actuatable actuating means operatively connected with said drive.

6. A self bailer for a boat comprising a housing having an open outer end and adapted to be secured to the lower region of the hull of a boat so this end lies generally flush with the outer surface of the hull and the inner end protrudes into the boat, a body assembly telescoped within said housing and including a pair of elongated hollow struts axially parallel with the housing and disposed in spaced side by side relation and formed to provide a venturi channel therebetween, said struts being mounted between a pair of plate means coaxial with said housing and one of which forms a valve head that cooperates with the open end of said housing to provide a seal therewith while the other is snugly but slidably disposed within said housing, the end of said struts adjacent said valve head being closed while the other end is open to said housing interior through the other plate means, said struts being provided with openings into the venturi channel therebetween, said body assembly being reciprocably mounted in the housing for movement between an extended position where the struts extend from the open end thereof and a retracted position where said valve head seals against said outer end, and means operatively connected with said body assembly for effecting such movement, said means including a cam member pivotally mounted and operative to provide a cam action to cam said valve head into tight engagement withsaid outer end of the housing and retain said valve head and said outer end in said tight engagement.

7. A self bailer comprising an elongated housing having an open outer end adapted to be generally flush with the outer surface of a boat hull while the inner end there'- of protrudes into the boat, a plate disposed over said inner end, said housing having a pair of generally opposed openings in the side walls thereof for communicating with the boat interior, a body assembly telescoped within said housing and having a pair of elongated hollow struts axially parallel with said housing, disposed in spaced relation and formed to provide a venturi passage therebetween, the lower end of the struts being closed while the interior of the struts communicate with the housing interior through their upper end, said struts having openings into said venturi passage therebetween, said assembly being axially movable in said housing to and from an extended position where the struts extend from said outer end and a retracted position Where said body assembly overlies said opposed openings in a generally fluid tight manner, and means for efiecting such reciprocal movement.

8. The organization of claim 7 including a pair of rods forming part of said body assembly and extending out of the inner end of the housing through said plate, means adjacent the ends of the rods interconnecting the same and a handle pivoted to the last named means, said handle being pivotable to a position between said last named means and said plate when the body assembly is in its retracted position and being effective to lock said body assembly in said retracted position.

9. The organization of claim 7 wherein the means for reciprocating the body assembly comprises a nut means mounted in the housing coaxial thereof and to rotate about its axis, said nut means being restrained from movement axially of the housing, means for rotating said nut means, a threaded shank forming part of the assembly and upon which the nut means is threaded, means effective to prevent rotation of said assembly within said housing, and a remotely aotuatable drive operatively connected to said nut.

10. A self bailer for a boat comprising a cylindrical housing adapted to be secured to the lower region of the hull of a boat so its lower end is generally flush with the outer surface thereof with said lower end being open and the upper end being closed, said housing having a pair of generally opposed openings in the wall thereof for communication with the boat interior, a body assembly telescoped in said housing for movement axially there of between an extended position and a retracted position, said body assembly including a pair of hollow elongated struts generally tear drop in transverse section, axially parallel with the housing and disposed in spaced side by side relation so as to form a venturi passage therebetween, the lower end of the struts being closed while the upper end is open to the interior of the housing with openings being provided in the struts that open into the venturi passage, said struts extending from the lower end of the housing when the body assembly is in its extended position, a valve disk secured to the lower end of the struts and engaging the open end of the housing in a fluid tight manner when the body assembly occupies its retracted position, and said body assembly including a piston portion coaxial of and slideably disposed within the cylindrical housing, with which the upper end of the struts are connected and through which communication of the strut interior with the housing is established, and means for moving said assembly in said housing to and from the extended and retracted positions.

11. A self bailer for a boat comprising a cylindrical housing adapted to be secured to the lower region of the hull of a boat so its lower end is generally flush with the outer surface thereof with said lower end being open and the upper end being closed, said housing having a pair of generally opposed openings in the wall thereof for communication with the boat interior, a body assembly telescoped in said housing for movement axially thereof between an extended position and a retracted position, said body assembly including a pair of hollow elongated struts generally teardrop in transverse section, axially parallel with the housing and disposed in spaced 8 side by side relation so as to form a venturi passage therebetween, the lower end of the struts being closed while the upper end is open to the interior of the housing with openings being provided in the struts that open into the venturi passage, said struts extending from the lower end of the housing when the body assembly is in its extended position, a valve disk secured to the lower end of the struts and engaging the open end of the housing in a fluid tight manner when the body assembly occupies its retracted position, and said body assembly including a piston portion coaxial of and slideably disposed within the cylindrical housing, with which the upper end of the struts are connected and through which communication of the strut interior with the housing is established, a pair of parallel, spaced rods extending up from the body assembly out through the upper end of the housing, and a handle and cam device effectively pivotally supported by said rods at the upper end thereof and by means of which the body assembly may be moved to and from its retracted and extended positions, said handle and cam device being pivoted about an axis disposed in a plane normal to the axis of the housing and being operative to cam the body assembly to the position where the valve disk moves into tight engagement with the lower end of the housing and retain it in this position.

12. A self bailer for a boat comprising a cylindrical housing adapted to be secured to the lower region of the hull of a boat so its lower end is generally flush with the outer surface thereof with said lower end being open and the upper end being closed, said housing having a pair of generally opposed openings in the wall thereof for communication with the boat interior, a body assembly tclescoped in said housing for movement axially thereof between an extended position and a retracted position, said body assembly including a pair of hollow elongated struts generally tear drop in transverse section, axially parallel with the housing and disposed in spaced side by side relation so as to 'form a venturi passage therebetween, the lower end of the struts being closed while the upper end is open to the interior of the housing with longitudinally elongated openings being provided in said struts adjacent the rear thereof that open into said venturi passage, said struts extending from the lower end of the housing when the body assembly is in its extended position, a valve disk secured to the lower end of the struts and engaging the open end of the housing in a fluid tight manner when the body assembly occupies its retracted position, and said body assembly including a piston portion coaxial of and slideably disposed within the cylindrical housing, with which the upper end of the struts are connected and through which communication of the strut interior with the housing is established, a threaded stern extending up from the piston, a spool threadedly received on the stem and mounted in the housing so it is free to rotate but is prevented from moving axially thereof, a cable drive operatively connected with said spool and including a remotely disposed drive member.

13. The organization of claim 12 including an indicator operatively related with respect to said body member to indicate at said remote location of said drive when said body member is moved from its retracted position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 135,656 Miller Feb. ll, 1873 1,761,645 Sobolew June 3, 1930 2,418,252 Engle Apr. 1, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS 160,924 Australia Feb. 3, 1955 792,579 Great Britain Apr. 2, 1958 

